Arappor Iyakkam has filed a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against former Tamil Nadu minister E.V. Velu, his son E.V. Kumaran and officials, alleging corruption and illegal extraction of soil worth more than ₹8 crore from Malappambadi Lake in Tiruvannamalai district, as reported in Indian Express Tamil.
In a social media post, the organisation said it had submitted the complaint along with supporting documents and sought immediate registration of an FIR and a fair investigation.
According to the complaint, the alleged soil extraction took place in November and December 2025 from Malappambadi Lake in Survey No. 58. Arappor Iyakkam alleged that soil was excavated from an area of around 12 acres of the lake to depths ranging from 10 to 23 feet and transported to land owned by a company associated with Velu’s son, E.V. Kumaran, to level the site for a DMK youth wing conference.
The DMK’s North Zone Youth Wing Conference was held on 14 December 2025, at “Kalaignar Thidal” in Malappambadi village, Tiruvannamalai district. The organisation said the conference was coordinated by Velu, then the DMK’s North Zone in-charge.
Arappor Iyakkam claimed that the 124.56-acre “Kalaignar Thidal” property is owned by Arunai Products and Services Private Limited, whose director is E.V. Kumaran. According to the organisation, the company purchased the property for ₹46 crore on 12 June 2024.
The organisation alleged that nearly 45 lakh cubic feet of soil was extracted from the lake, causing a loss of more than ₹8 crore to the government. It further alleged that the excavation violated Rule 12(2) of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, which, according to the complaint, does not permit excavation of soil beyond one metre from water bodies for public purposes.
Arappor Iyakkam said it had conducted a direct inspection of the lake and documented the alleged loss. It also alleged that the excavation affected agriculture and the environment.
Alleged Encroachment of Lake Bund
The organisation has also alleged that a wide access road was constructed along the bund of Malappambadi Lake to facilitate access to the conference venue.
According to the complaint, the road was allegedly laid by the Highways Department up to the entrance of land belonging to Velu’s family. Arappor Iyakkam alleged that this amounted to a violation of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Irrigation Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007.
The organisation further claimed that complaints had previously been made by members of the public and farmers regarding the alleged illegal extraction of natural resources, but no action was taken by officials.
It alleged that the Uzhavar Urimai Iyakkam had submitted a complaint to authorities on 25 November 2025, but claimed that the district administration, revenue officials and police failed to act on it.
Questions Raised Over ₹46 Crore Land Purchase
Arappor Iyakkam has also raised questions over the purchase of the conference venue.
According to the organisation, the 124.56-acre property was purchased by Arunai Products and Services Private Limited for ₹46 crore from Rishi Enterprises on 12 June 2024. It alleged that Rishi Enterprises was owned by a contractor, Pandithurai, through a company registered in his wife’s name.
The organisation further claimed that companies associated with the contractor had been searched by the Income Tax Department in 2022 and that several crores of rupees in unaccounted money were allegedly detected.
Arappor Iyakkam said that local residents estimate the prevailing value of land in the area at ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh per cent and questioned how 124.56 acres could have been purchased for ₹46 crore.
It has sought an investigation into the transaction, including the financial dealings involved in the purchase of the property.
ரூ 8 கோடி அளவில் மண் திருட்டில் ஈடுபட்டு ஊழல் செய்து தன் குடும்ப நிலத்தில் அந்த மண்ணை கொட்டி நிலத்தை சமப்படுத்தி திமுக இளைஞர் அணி மாநாடு நடத்திய முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் எ வ வேலு, அவர் மகன் குமரன் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் மீது அறப்போர் இன்றைய தினம் கொடுத்த ஊழல் புகார் . அறப்போர் திரட்டிய… pic.twitter.com/OEg9d2Pjn5
— Arappor Iyakkam (@Arappor) August 13, 2026
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